“Dark Shadows: The Complete Original Series” Coming To DVD

Posted by Nathan_E on March 7th, 2012

Dark Shadows, the phenomenal cult soap opera/gothic romance/horror show that introduced the world to vampire Barnabas Collins (and soon to be a major motion picture directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp), is getting a full-series DVD release courtesy of MPI Home Video. Dark Shadows ran from 1966 to 1971, and had 1,225 episodes (30 minutes each). MPI had originally released Dark Shadows in 4-Disc Sets starting with Episode 200 — the episode that introduced Barnabas into the plotline. There were 26 of these sets released, originally priced around 59.99 each. After the series was released, MPI went back and released 5 more sets entitled “Dark Shadows: The Beginning,” covering Episodes 1 – 199. These, too, were priced at 59.99.

Now, in time for Tim Burton’s big-screen adaptation, MPI is releasing a deluxe, limited-edition box set containing every episode of the original series. The set is a 15 pound! coffin-shaped set that includes a booklet, autographed postcard, and interviews with the cast and crew — that 131 DVDs with a complete running time of 30,000 minutes! WHOA! Retail is 599.98 for this set, but it’s going for much less than that right now. Keep in mind that, while the price is high, the original release would have cost you well over $1,500. The release date for this amazing set is 4/10/2012. Full details and pictures below.

“This limited edition boxed set contains every eerie episode of the original Gothic suspense series DARK SHADOWS (1966-1971) plus a wealth of bonus interviews with the stars and creative members that made the supernatural thriller a cult favorite and an enduring television classic.”

Nathan Erdel is studying telecommunications at Indiana University. An actor, writer, and filmmaker, Nathan is currently developing “Mr. Dark’s Tales of Terrifying Things,” a horror program hosted by Bloomington’s own Pretorius Dark. When he’s not perusing record stores or questing in his life-long search for the perfect wheat beer, Nathan is serving as one of the organizers of the Dark Carnival Film Fest (www.darkcarnivalfilmfest.com).